UN Committee against Torture publishes findings on Afghanistan, Argentina, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan and Republic of Korea

GENEVA (12 May 2017) – The UN Committee against Torture has published its findings on the countries it examined during its latest session from 18 April to 12 May: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan and Republic of Korea.
The findings cover positive aspects of how the respective State is implementing the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and also main matters of concern and recommendations.

The findings, officially termed concluding observations, can be found here.

The Committee will next meet from 24 July to 11 August 2017 when it will review Antigua and Barbuda, Ireland, Panama and Paraguay.  More details can be found here.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact Nicoleta Panta (+41 (0) 22 917 9310 / npanta@ohchr.org)

Background

What is the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment?

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (known as the United Nations Convention against Torture) is the most important international human rights treaty that deals with torture. The Convention obligates countries who are parties to the treaty to prohibit and prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in all circumstances.

The Convention entered into force on 26 June 1987 and currently has 161 states parties. Thus, the vast majority of the member states of the UN (193) have voluntarily agreed to prohibit any form of torture.

Members of the CAT are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of States parties. The Committee’s concluding observations are an independent assessment of States’ compliance with their human rights obligations under the treaty. More information: http://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/cat/pages/catindex.aspx

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